Lai Foong Moi - Labourer/Lunch Break ( oil on canvas )

About the Artwork :

 Lai Foong Moi (LFM) received her art education
  from Spore (NAFA 2nd generation artist) and in
Paris. Her artworks depict subjects from all races
and walks of life. Virtually all her paintings show a
direct and natural finesse and yet at the same
time, impart an emotional resonance. In this
artwork, the labourer is portrayed as sitting
casually in an eating-place, gazing into the
distance and is deep in thought. He is the principal
subject whilst in the background, a samsui woman
is eating from a tiffin carrier. A sense of
spaciousness is created in the composition by the
laying out of dark chairs and tables in the
background and figures in the foreground. As there
is no clutter or use of shadows, a sense of
simplicity and light is felt. The principal subject is
dressed casually in a labourer’s outfit, but his
clean clothing and combed back hair provide him
with an air of respectability. His legs appear to be
suntanned and muscular and his face, with the
determined jaw, contribute towards the impression of a honest working man.

About Lai Foong Moi :

Lai Foong Moi studied in NAFA and went for further studies in Paris. She was best known for painting people.

Describe :

- The painting is dominated by a male figure , probably a labourer .

- In the foreground, there is a male figure who seemed like a labourer.

- In the background , there is a Samsui women holding chopsticks , eating from a metal tiffin carrier.

- The painting is composed of both regular and irregular shapes.

Analysis :

- The composition of the painting is painted where the labourer is sitting in the foreground and the samsui women, with her back facing us , in the background.

- The background is characterized by the samsui women eating with chopsticks from a metal tiffin carrier.

- The foreground is dominated by the male figure sitting in a relax and calm position.

- The artist draws focus to the male figure by using both warm and cool colours on the male figure while using only dull colours on the samsui women.

Interpretation :

- The painting depicts the lunch break of the labourers .

- The subject matter is a reflection of hard labour.

- Unlike other figures in painting , this figure in the painting has got a serious and honest look.

- He seemed to be in deep thoughs and the jaw lines made his face stern and honest.

- The artist seems to suggest the labour of people.

Evaluation :

- In my opinion , this painting portrays the labourers having a lunch break in the canteen.

- The choice of colours portrayed are dull and earthly colours , with a little warm and more of cool colours.

- The strength of the painting lies in the male figure.

- The muscular legs might suggest that they are labourers who do rough jobs.

- It is a successful attempt because the painting shows that both the figures are labourers.